Pantomimes are often based on traditional fairy tales or children's stories, and feature stock characters such as the hero, the villain, the damsel in distress, and the funny sidekick. The performances are full of exaggerated gestures, visual gags, and wordplay, and the audience is encouraged to join in with singing, clapping, and shouting out responses to the actors.
One of the most famous pantomimes is "Cinderella", which tells the story of a young woman who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, but eventually finds happiness with the help of her fairy godmother and a glass slipper. Other popular pantomimes include "Aladdin", "Snow White", "Peter Pan", and "Jack and the Beanstalk".
Pantomimes are a fun and light-hearted form of theater that appeal to people of all ages. They are a great way to spend an evening with family or friends, and to get into the holiday spirit.